I am a lighter is better nerd.

14' boat. No passenger.

Though honestly the 16 can easily fit. I've seen it done. I've done it. I just prefer to be as small and nimble as possible.

Here is my 'logic'

The advantage if the 16 would be a shallower draft for the long shallows, you get hung up less.
The advantage of the 14' is more nimble through the rock garden rapids.
The consequences of screwing up the shallows- annoyance
the consequence of screwing up the rapids- danger+damage

I've found the help from a passenger is nice to have, but it also becomes necessary. I'd prefer to put my buddies in an IK. If it really hits the fan you can call in the cavalry but they aren't 200lbs of dead weight the entire time.


OR you post an ad on here advertising a trip for a thin, young beautiful woman...strictly plationic of course....and wait for the flood of emails. Then you only have 115 lbs extra in your boat. Unless of course you get 2 good girls who add up to 230 lbs. That might be worth it though. Or so I hear.

 

OR you post an ad on here advertising a trip for a thin, young beautiful woman...strictly plationic of course....and wait for the flood of emails. Then you only have 115 lbs extra in your boat. Unless of course you get 2 good girls who add up to 230 lbs. That might be worth it though. Or so I hear.

Singleguy must have them all lined up. At least we haven't heard from him in a while.

 

Thanks for the advice. Your explanation about getting stuck in the flats vs. the rapids makes a lot of sense. I have done a lot of low water runs just never the MF at low water. The other scare I have is the rocks on the MF don't look like smooth river rocks, sharp and jagged. :-?

 

The rocks in the really clogged rapids and the shallows up top are generally smooth. As you get lower they get sharper but larger and fewer. In general no real boat rippers. if you are used to low flow rivers you will be fine.

Pack light. And read the guidebook. You will have fun if you have the right attitude.

 

http://vimeo.com/m/86290527

 

....... my August 4th launch date. Boundary launch, I do not want to fly in anything and I like beer.

Pffft....I thought you said low water?

 

I'd say the rocks are smooth compared to the dynimted rock of the payette. Also they get slicker as the year moves on.

Two years ago we took 6 kayaks and one 16' for a 5 day. It worked out better than we thought it would.


Have you done the tieton? If you can push rubber down the tieton durring the fall run off at med flows you'll be good to go. Just got to pick your way.

 

Which boat should I run? 14" hyside or 16" Rocky Mountain?

I would say that either a 14" or 16" boat will be too small for anything but your Barbie dolls.

 

You have a problem with me?

 

So I know there is a lot of advice about low water Middle Fork trips. I'm asking for a little conversation about how I should run my August 4th launch date. Boundary launch, I do not want to fly in anything and I like beer.

Which boat should I run? 14" hyside or 16" Rocky Mountain? Hyside seems to slide over rocks better. But is the extra buoyancy better?

Just one person in the boat or a passenger for help getting off rocks?

Any tips, advice, Thanks

Lots of good advice so far but I don't see the most important low water trick.

For most summer river trips I like a great big cooler full of ice and good guzzling beer. A six pack+ per day minimum. But on low water technical rivers I go as light as possible which includes no beer cooler. Instead of a six pack of a lighter beer (plus ice & cooler), I take 3 canned micro brews per day and use the river as my ice cooler. Saves literally a ton of weight and I tend to not drink until camp which is a good idea on a tight technical river. YMMV

 

Take the 16' and haul some of my beer...

 

Hey Mogur sorry I see what you were saying. Apparently I missed the " twice! Originally and your reference. Thanks everyone for the input except Cody, I think I may pull rank and have him haul crapper/firepan/kitchen box/ maybe throw in a garbage sack for good luck!